No Images? Click here
WE UNCOVER THE BEST OF NSW THIS MONTH
JULY 2019 EDITION
EAT | CHUUKA
DO | FREELAND HIKING CO.
Two of Australia’s hottest young chefs are behind Sydney restaurant Chuuka (pronounced ch-oo-ka). Chase Kojima (Sokyo and Gojima) and Victor Liong (Melbourne’s Lee Ho Fook) will bring their Japanese and Chinese heritage respectively to create a fusion of the two cuisines. Opening 3 July at Jones Bay Wharf in Pyrmont, it will offer a dedicated raw menu, roe service and a selection of share plates. A highlight is the ise-ebi chilli, with stir-fried spiny lobster, chilli miso butter and Japanese milk buns. There’ll be a focus on dessert, with a frozen yoghurt menu and dishes such as dark chocolate mousse with matcha ice cream. An outdoor bar with stunning views of Sydney Harbour will serve cocktails with Asian botanicals and a glamorous private dining room completes the picture. Visit chuuka.com.au
Winter is the ideal season to go on a bushwalk. Freeland Hiking offers all-inclusive hiking tours in the Blue Mountains and the South Coast. Start with a two-day tour to Ruined Castle, where you’ll climb two mountains and camp overnight, and work up to the five-day Budawangs Circuit, located four hours’ south of Sydney, for a hike through isolated wilderness and a night in a sandstone cave. Everything is provided – tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, food and transport from Sydney. Food is hearty and healthy – think porridge with toppings and a three-course feast for dinner. The experienced guides will teach you facts about the bush and tell stories about the customs and practices of Aboriginal groups who are the traditional custodians of the land. Visit freelandhikingco.com.au
STAY | CLARKES BEACH HOLIDAY PARK
EAT | BAR BOTANICA
Eight new architecturally designed cabins have opened at Clarkes Beach Holiday Park, in the Northern Rivers region. Made from sustainably sourced Blackbutt timber, minimal impact to the environment was a priority in the building process, with erosion protection and rainwater tanks installed. Four of the cabins sleep up to five people, and four sleep two. High quality linen bedding, indoor and outdoor dining areas, a fully equipped kitchen and air conditioning make for a comfortable stay. Step out of the park and straight onto the sand of Clarkes Beach. Visit
reflectionsholidayparks.com.au/clarkes-beach
The Fragrant Gardens are as lovely as they sound and have long been a popular destination on the Central Coast. Now there’s a new reason to visit - Bar Botanica has opened within the gardens, run by the couple who make Mr Goaty Gelato. The café is located in a cream-coloured mud hut with striking arched windows. Guests can sit in the leafy courtyard or grab a picnic blanket and take dishes such as a ploughman’s lunch with local produce or chicken liver parfait with Distillery Botanic blackcurrant liquor into the garden. Coffee, tea, and sodas are available and soon, gin will be too from the neighbouring Distillery Botanica. Visit barbotanica.com.au
DO | FAR MEADOW TABLE
Far Meadow Table is a new cooking school and catering service in Berry. Having previously run a busy Sydney café together, the owners are keen to share their passion for local produce by growing their own vegetables, fruit and herbs and supporting other South Coast farmers and fishermen in their menu. One half of the couple, Iain Smart, is an experienced chef and will host cooking workshops on topics such as braising, cooking vegetarian dishes and teaching kids to cook. They also host frequent long table lunches and dinners under their Elm tree – the perfect way to sample the best of the region with a group of friends. Visit
farmeadowtable.com.au
DRINK | HUSK DISTILLERY
The spirits made at Husk Distillery are truly representative of their terroir – a deep, fertile caldera in the Northern Rivers of NSW. The Messenger family set up the plantation in 2012 and have recently opened a cellar door, bar and Planter’s café for tours and tastings, 45 minutes from Byron Bay. It’s the only paddock-to-bottle rum distillery in Australia and they specialise in agricole rum, made from sugar cane (instead of the usual molasses). On the tour you’ll walk through the production facility and enjoy a rum tasting flight in the barrel house. Enjoy a seasonal cocktail in the cellar door and a cake or grazing board with local produce in the cafe. Visit huskdistillers.com
TOUR | TASTE RIVERINA
SEE | TRACEY MOFFATT
The Riverina region is famed for its abundance – rice, wine and citrus are some of the products grown in this fertile region. Sample your way around the area on the Taste Riverina Food & Wine Adventure, a four-day heritage rail tour on 11 October from Sydney to Griffith, with snack stops along the way in Junee and Narrandera. Travelling by train is a great way to admire the changing landscape and see canola fields in bloom. In Griffith you’ll tour farms, orange groves, wineries and restaurants – highlights include learning how rice is grown at Randall Organics Rice Farm, enjoying lunch at Piccolo Farm and a dinner with matched wines at McWilliam's wines. Visit cruiseexpress.com.au
Tracey Moffatt: Body Remembers, comprised of the artist’s photographic series Body Remembers (2017) and video work Vigil (2017), is showing for the first time in NSW at Mosman Art Gallery. Both works are from her 57th Venice Biennale exhibition and explore ongoing themes of self and identity. The series refers to the domestic servitude of her relatives and of the forced removal of Aboriginal women and their internment on rural properties. Moffatt is celebrated for her distinct approach and enduring engagement with Australia’s colonial history. The artist says it’s “a play with time, backwards and forwards of the past and present.” Until August 25. Visit mosmanartgallery.org.au
FEATURED STORIES
HOLIDAYS WITH HEART
Sustainable stays, environmental expeditions and ethical activities for the traveller who wants to give back.
Cosy Winter Cabins near Sydney
There’s nothing quite as restorative as a weekend in nature, breathing fresh air and switching off your phone.
Australian Animals at Every Turn
Cuddle a koala or feed a kangaroo at these zoos and wildlife parks around NSW.
JULY 2019 EVENT GUIDE
SPOTLIGHT ON: CHICAGO the MUSICAL
From 20 August, Capital Theatre
The razzle dazzle world of Chicago the Musical is coming to Sydney’s Capitol Theatre this August, with show-stopping tunes, iconic Aussie performers and slick choreography. This new Australian production, commencing in Sydney, is produced by John Frost and Suzanne Jones and hits the stage on August 20.
Steeped in legend, the long-running musical Chicago first hit the stage in 1975 and tells the tale of Roxie Hart—a chorus girl who murders her lover—who along with jailbird rival, Velma Kelly, fights to stay off death row with the help of slick lawyer, Billy Flynn. The alluring story explores the notion of the ‘celebrity criminal’ and is based on a 1926 play of the same name by criminal reporter, Maurine Dallas Watkins, based on true stories.
Set in the melting pot of Chicago’s Jazz Age, the stylish stage show was crafted by musical theatre legends, John Kander, Fred Ebb and legendary choreographer Bob Fosse. The vaudeville vintage score includes huge hits such as ‘All That Jazz’ and ‘Razzle Dazzle’ and the cabaret dance moves are electric with gangsters, showgirls and flappers strutting their stuff.
Star of the show Roxie Hart is played by Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Velma Kelly is performed by musical theatre star, Alinta Chidzey, while much loved singer Casey Donovan hits the stage as Matron ‘Mama’ Morton.
Honoured with six Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards, a Grammy and thousands of standing ovations, Chicago is a Broadway landmark musical that must be seen at least once in a lifetime!
SYDNEY EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
5-21 July | Winterlight
Prince Alfred Park in Parramatta becomes a Winter playground for Winterlight this month. Skate on the ice rink, join in a snowball fight, ride the ice slide and Ferris wheel, and watch dancing-on-ice performances. Visit winterlight.com.au
9-31 July | Volvo Scandinavian Film Festival
Catch the best of modern cinema from Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland at Leichhardt’s Palace Cinema during the Volvo Scandinavian Film Festival, with a program of 21 films. Visit scandinavianfilmfestival.com
10 July | Holden State of Origin Game III
Catch all the action at the ANZ Stadium Sydney when the Queensland Maroons take on the New South Wales Blues. Book ticket and accommodation packages here or visit anzstadium.com.au
11-14 July | Bastille French Festival
Enjoy food, wine and arts in the heart of Sydney with French wine bars, a Parisian foodie village, cheese and wine feasts, as well as an outdoor cinema with French film classics and mulled wine.
Visit bastillefestival.com.au
15 and 21 July | Gondwana World Choral Festival
The Gondwana World Choral Festival is the greatest gathering of international choirs in Australia, with guest choirs from Estonia, Latvia, France, China, Japan, Canada and the US. Visit gondwana-wcf.org.au
19 July | Wild Night Market
This Winter’s edition of the Carriageworks Night Market will be curated by chef James Viles of Bowral restaurant Biota with the theme ‘wild’. Chefs, distillers, farmers and producers will serve dishes and drinks using seasonal, sustainable and ethically sourced ingredients. Visit tickets.carriageworks.com.au
19 July | Buildcorp Wallaroos vs. Japan
The Buildcorp Wallaroos are set to play a two-test series against Japan this July, with the second match being played at the iconic North Sydney Oval.
Visit nsw.gov.au/buildcorp-wallaroos-vs-japan-sydney
Until 21 July | The National: New Australian Art 2019
The National presents the latest in contemporary Australian art across three of Sydney’s top cultural institutions. Artists explore memory and placemaking at Carriageworks; the boundary between chaos and control at the Art Gallery of NSW; and themes of power at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Visit the-national.com.au
25-28 July | Australian Hockey U21 Championships
The most talented young athletes from all over Australia will come together to compete in the most exhilarating display of hockey this year at the Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre.
Visit sydney.com/sydney-olympic-park
27 July | Bankstown Bites Food Festival
Join 10,000 foodies from all over the Sydney Metropolitan area and beyond to enjoy the perfect combination of guided food tours, cooking demonstrations and a diversity of food stalls on offer at the Bankstown Bites Food Festival. Visit cbcity.nsw.gov.au/events/bankstown-bites
Until 8 September | Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes 2019
The Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes is one of Australia’s most prestigious art awards held at the Art Gallery of NSW. Prizes are awarded to the best portrait painting; the best landscape or figure sculpture; and the best subject, genre or mural. Visit artgallery.nsw.gov.au/prizes
Until 1 September | Muriel’s Wedding The Musical
One of Australia’s most iconic films is now a laugh-out-loud musical. Follow Muriel Heslop’s journey to Sydney where she finds fame and fortune — and a little more! With 20 original songs by Kate Miller-Heidke and Keir Nuttal. Visit murielsweddingthemusical.com
Until Dec 31 | Apollo 11
Powerhouse Museum celebrates the Apollo 11 landing on its 50th anniversary. Objects from all around the world are on display, exploring this historic event and its impact on science, society and design. A new virtual reality experience allows viewers to watch the moon landing from the perspective of Michael Collins, the third astronaut who remained in orbit. maas.museum/event/apollo-11
REGIONAL EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
4-6 July | Fleece to Fashion
Armidale’s annual Fleece to Fashion Awards showcase the use of Merino Wool by national and international fashion designers and students, and educate young designers in the wonderful qualities of wool. Visit fleecetofashion.com.au
6-12 July | Mayfield Garden Winter Festival
Rug up and embrace the chill at the Mayfield Garden Winter Festival in snowy Oberon. On the weekends, local musicians will entertain you as you roast your own S’mores in the wood fire (toasted marshmallows dipped in chocolate in between two biscuits). Visit mayfieldgarden.com.au/whatson/winter-festival
6-13 July | Bundanoon Winterfest
Bundanoon's Winterfest is a week-long celebration with cooking and fitness classes, special film screenings, nature talks, art and craft workshops, and much more. Visit bundanoonwinterfest.com
6-21 July | The Bathurst Winter Festival
A showcase of all that is creative and unique in the region, see historic buildings come alive with illuminations, rug up for the open air ice rink and enjoy weekend feature nights of twilight markets, food trucks, mulled wine and entertainment.
Visit bathurstwinterfestival.com.au
12-13 July | Mudgee Small Farm Field Days
For more than 40 years the Mudgee Small Farm Field Days have been connecting people living on the land. There’s a focus on sharing knowledge as well as entertainment, with popular events like the working-dog trials, horse whispering, fashion parades, whip cracking and tractor pulling. Visit mudgeefielddays.com.au
13-19 July | Evans Head Fishing Classic
Enjoy a week of fun and fishing on the beautiful North Coast at the Evans Head Fishing Classic. Hundreds of fishers enter the Catch ‘n’ Snap competitions where fish are released back into the water. Visit evansheadfishingclassic.com.au
15-19 July| Westfield National Youth Championships for Girls
Hosted by Northern NSW Football, the Westfield National Youth Championships for Girls have been held in Coffs Harbour since 2006. The Championships are an integral part of the FFA National youth development providing a showcase for the best 13- and 15-year-old girls from all States. Visit coffscoast.com.au/event/westfield-national-youth-championships-girls
18-21 July | Elephant Trail Race Port Macquarie
Port Macquarie’s Largest Trail Running Festival offers seven distances over three days. The 25-27 kilometre Mt Cairncross course has approximately 1455 metre elevation and offers distances for both novice and experienced distance runners. Visit elephanttrailrace.com.au
19-21 July | Splendour in the Grass
Byron’s huge Splendour in the Grass music festival attracts the biggest acts from around the world. In 2019 headliners include Chance the Rapper, Tame Impala, Childish Gambino and Sza. Visit splendourinthegrass.com
24-27 July | The Lightning Ridge Opal Festival
See Australia's largest display of opals and opal jewellery, enjoy the Opal Queen Ball, International Opal Jewellery Design Awards Competition, free activities and social events. Visit lightningridgeopalfestival.com.au
